Netflix's most-watched original series of all time has officially concluded with Squid Game Season 3, leaving audiences and critics with mixed emotions about the final chapter of Hwang Dong-hyuk's dystopian masterpiece. Released on June 27, 2025, the third and final season has generated significant buzz while sparking intense debate among viewers worldwide.

Critical Reception: A Tale of Two Scores

Season 3 currently holds an 83% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 41 reviews, with some sources reporting a 90% approval rating after 21 reviews. This represents a notable improvement over Season 2's reception, positioning the final installment as a critical redemption for the series.

However, the audience response tells a different story. The season currently maintains a concerning 45% audience score with over 100 reactions submitted, making it the most divisive season in the show's history, despite the series maintaining its status as Netflix's most-watched original show of all time.

What Critics Are Saying

Professional reviewers have praised the season's ruthless execution of creator Hwang Dong-hyuk's themes, with Rotten Tomatoes' consensus reading: "The games reach a grim crescendo in this climactic third season, repeating familiar beats but with a ruthlessness that drives creator Hwang Dong-hyuk's themes home."

Some critics have gone as far as declaring that "after Season 3, it's clear that Squid Game is the best TV show Netflix has ever produced", highlighting the season's impact on the streaming platform's original content legacy.

A Bleaker, More Intense Finale

This final season has been described as "bleaker than ever," with themes of heroic goals being "constantly subverted or undercut by the failure of other, less heroic figures," making it "even bleaker and unpromising than earlier editions".

The season continues the story "in the aftermath of a violent rebellion, with contestants pressing onward through high-stakes competitions as outside forces continue searching for the operation's mysterious location".

The Divisive Factor

The stark contrast between critical acclaim and audience reception suggests that while reviewers appreciate the artistic and thematic elements of the finale, general audiences may have expected a different conclusion to the beloved series. This division reflects the challenges of concluding a global phenomenon that captured worldwide attention with its unique blend of social commentary and survival thriller elements.

Legacy and Impact

Since its debut on September 17, 2021, Squid Game has redefined what international content can achieve on a global scale. The series became a cultural touchstone, sparking conversations about social inequality, human nature, and the dark side of capitalism. Season 2, which premiered on December 26, 2024, set the stage for this final confrontation.

With all episodes now streaming on Netflix in the U.S., viewers can experience the complete journey of Gi-hun and the other contestants in what has been described as a brutal and uncompromising conclusion.

Final Verdict

Squid Game Season 3 serves as a polarizing but thematically consistent conclusion to one of television's most impactful series. While critics appreciate its artistic merits and unflinching approach to its dark themes, the audience divide suggests that not all viewers found satisfaction in the series' final games.

The season succeeds in maintaining the show's core identity while pushing its themes to their logical extreme, creating a finale that may be more respected than beloved. For a series that began as an unlikely global phenomenon, ending with such passionate debate feels oddly fitting for Hwang Dong-hyuk's uncompromising vision.

Whether viewed as a masterful conclusion or a disappointing finale, Squid Game Season 3 ensures the series' place in television history as a bold, uncompromising work that refused to soften its edges for mass appeal.